An unenforced law is the worst kind. It can create an atmosphere that breeds contempt for all laws.
The Smoke-Free Illinois Act is one such law. This law, passed in 2008, makes it illegal to smoke in indoor public places. But, problems with the way the law was written and contempt for the law by smokers and some business owners rendered this law impotent.
Some elected officials in Peoria County now want to work together to create a uniform approach to enforcement of this law. It is about time.
At the Chillicothe City Council meeting last week, aldermen released the first reading of a change to the current liquor license ordinance. Establishments already are required to notify police if a fight breaks out, and with the proposed change, if someone lights a cigarette.
Aldermen also said that Chillicothe Police Chief Steve Maurer wanted other entities within Peoria County also to enforce law.
A meeting is planned for the heads of those entities to discuss how they can better enforce the law.
At-large Peoria City Councilman Eric Turner is among those officials.
Turner, who also acts as Peoria’s liquor commissioner, said this is an issue ripe for consideration across the county.
“We’ve got a state statute covering this, but the state statute is too lax,” Turner said.
“Our liquor investigator tells me it is a common violation, especially in the north part of the city.”
Turner said he has no qualms about Peoria passing a similar ordinance.
“I think the (Peoria) City Council will support it,” Turner said.
Such action is warranted.
A TimesNewspapers investigation in May 2009 found violations of the law are common in Peoria and Tazewell counties.
Three of four bars in Chillicothe were found in violation, one with large ashtrays on each table.
Another had no smokers in sight, but the smell of smoke was thick. Yet another had three or four people who lit up at the bar.
Four bars checked in the city of Peoria during that investigation were all found to be in violation.
The Peoria County Health Department is charged with enforcement of the law in Peoria County.
But, Sherah Bateman, health educator for the Peoria City/County Health Department, said, last year, enforcement is not pursued very far.
Bateman said the health department had received about 200 complaints by mid-2009.
A business’ first complaint warrants an education letter, which includes a reminder about the law, and specifically what the complaint was. A second complaint gives the establishment a warning letter. The owner is then supposed to send a detailed letter of how he is going to comply with the law within 10 days.
Every community within our state needs to be on the same page. Uniformity, on this issue, is a necessity.
